Sunshay t1_jbhgjw8 wrote on March 9, 2023 at 1:48 AM

I like your basic idea but what is it then exactly that you propose that we escape from? What exactly should we not run from as much? You talk about it in such general points that it is unclear.

You say even getting lost in your thoughts is an escape. I would argue that people who don't introspect or do not spend any time pondering are the ones running away from their problems. But you seem to mean something different. Can you define better what exactly we should focus on more or what we should ideally not escape from as much. You say "life" but how do you define it in this context?

TreatThompson OP t1_jbhhqrz wrote on March 9, 2023 at 1:57 AM

I definitely get your point, there’s alot of abstract here so it’s confusing to find something practical to apply

The mental escape part in my perspective is being stuck in the past or obsessing about the future aka not being present

Sometimes I’d fall into a pattern of “I’ll be happy once I get this.” Like when I graduate university then I can enjoy myself. Then it was when I get a full time job then I can enjoy myself. Then it was when I get a raise/promotion then I’ll truly be satisfied. That’s one escape. I wrote off the present and just made life about the future. The anxiety over stability and comfort made me keep moving the goal post.

Or being lost in the past. I’d glorify the past and not bother trying to make the present great because it just won’t reach the level of satisfaction the past had.

I hope these examples offer some more clarity!

Also I’m right there with on introspection. I think a alot of people coukd benefit from that reflection and “analysis” of the self

Thanks for sharing!! 😄

Adi_San t1_jbhjhfp wrote on March 9, 2023 at 2:10 AM

Those parts I already understood from your post but I don't really think you are answering his question which I was also curious to know the answer to.

TreatThompson OP t1_jbhku9a wrote on March 9, 2023 at 2:20 AM

Hmmm okay I see the question is mainly about what not to run from. What is the abstract idea of “life” that I propose were running from

My answer to that is the present. And that can be present desires, present thoughts, present feelings, etc.

A tangible example is something common I hear about a lot—someone really wants to start a YouTube channel but is absolutely full of fear about it. They may escape this desire by making themselves busy. They could start a new house project and then say “It sucks I just don’t have the time to get started on this YouTube channel”

Or I know I’ve personally been guilty of convincing myself that work is actually busier than it seems, so I don’t have the energy to start a new project that I find daunting

Hope that example makes sense 😅

sbfx t1_jbi1swx wrote on March 9, 2023 at 4:39 AM

The ‘escaping’ is from nihilism, finding zero meaning in anything, then having a bitter, unrewarding life where decades go by and you have absolutely no sense of life purpose and nothing to show for it.

Visible-One-5901 t1_jbm0dl6 wrote on March 10, 2023 at 12:16 AM

I think I understand what the author is saying perfectly and can relate.

Escaping from my social insecurities by focusing on getting into the best school, getting my first job, getting the best job etc. was exactly what I think the author is describing.

But was it good or bad for me? Frankly I don’t have a definite answer. I very much enjoy where I stand financially, which just gives me this baseline level of happiness I couldn’t have achieved otherwise. I’m 34 and just starting to take leveling up my dating game seriously. Would I have been better off had I faced my fears and focused on relationships in my younger years like most normal people do? Very possibly so. But there is no point analyzing the past. Instead I’m really happy to acknowledge my escape strategies and to make a conscious decision to not escape anymore, trying to internalize a new mindset that the only way for me to really grow is to face and actively seek what makes me uncomfortable.